Market Update
Market Update for the Month Ending November 30, 2020
Posted December 3, 2020
These market gains were accompanied by improving fundamentals. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, as of November 24 with 97 percent of companies having reported results, the blended third-quarter earnings decline for the S&P 500 sits at 7.3 percent. This is notably better than analyst estimates at the start of earnings season for a 21.5 percent drop during the quarter. Roughly 85 percent of companies are beating expectations.
Technical factors were also supportive for markets during the month. The three major indices remained well above their respective 200-day moving averages in November, marking five straight months where all three indices finished the month above trend. The 200-day moving average is a widely followed technical indicator, as sustained breaks above or below this level tend to signal shifting investor sentiment. The continued technical support for equity markets since reopening efforts took hold indicates that investors remain confident in U.S. companies and their ability to withstand the pandemic.
The story was much the same internationally. Positive vaccine news pushed global equity markets higher during the month. The MSCI EAFE Index gained an impressive 15.50 percent in November, which caused the index to pass pre-pandemic levels for the first time. Emerging market investors also celebrated the vaccine news, with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index gaining a strong 9.25 percent. Both of these indices finished the month above their respective 200-day moving averages, indicating solid technical support. This was a welcome rebound for the MSCI EAFE Index, which ended October below its 200-day moving average.
Fixed income also had a positive month, supported by falling interest rates. The 10-year Treasury yield fell from 0.88 percent at the end of October to 0.84 percent at the end of November. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index gained 0.98 percent during the month. High-yield bonds, which are typically less tied to movements in rates, also had a positive month. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index returned 3.96 percent in November. High-yield spreads narrowed to their lowest level since February, indicating that investors’ tolerance for higher-yielding, riskier securities rose during the month. This makes sense, given the rally in equity markets we saw in November.
We saw continued growth in daily testing throughout November. The positive test rate started to decline by month end, showing we are doing a better job of identifying and addressing new infections. The positive test rate is still above the WHO’s recommended 5 percent level, but we are now moving in the right direction after two months with a rising rate. It takes time to contain new outbreaks, but the developments in November indicate we may be making progress in dealing with this third wave.
With that being said, there are still very real risks on the medical front. The potential for an increased infection rate following the Thanksgiving holiday is a primary concern. We will have to wait and see if there is a large uptick in cases in the weeks to come, so case counts in December will continue to be closely monitored. Ultimately, between the slowing case growth, improvements in testing, and vaccine news, November was largely a positive month for public health.
Consumer confidence was a concern as well, with both major measures of consumer confidence falling by more than expected in November. One of the factors that likely led to this decline was rising stress on the job market. We saw initial jobless claims tick up for two consecutive weeks for the first time since July. This highlights the negative effect rising case counts had on the recovery during the month.
Business spending and confidence figures pointed to continued growth. Both manufacturer and service sector confidence remained near or above pre-pandemic levels, indicating that businesses remain resilient despite rising case counts. This high level of confidence translated into faster business spending, with the durable goods orders report for October coming in above expectations. Core durable goods orders, which strip out the impact of volatile transportation orders, were especially impressive. They rose by 1.3 percent during the month against forecasts for more modest 0.5 percent growth. Core durable goods orders are often used as a proxy for business investment. As you can see in Figure 1, core orders have rebounded well past pre-pandemic levels. Business investment was a positive contributor to gross domestic product growth in the third quarter. This strong start to the fourth quarter is a positive sign for economic growth as we finish out the year.
Political risks also remain, despite the conclusion of the November elections. Although there is hope for another round of federal stimulus early in 2021, it is likely we will head into the new year with a divided federal government, which could lead to a lower or slower stimulus than expected. There are also international concerns, as U.S.-China trade relations are strained and a no-deal Brexit at year-end seems likely.
Despite the risks, both the economy and markets remain resilient. We will get the pandemic under control, and vaccines will accelerate that process. While the economy may have slowed, it’s still growing and has surpassed pre-pandemic levels in some areas. Strong earnings results are a sign that companies are adapting. The continued market rally says investors think things will get better—but volatility is always a possibility. A well-diversified portfolio that matches investor goals and timelines remains the best path forward for most. If concerns remain, however, contact your financial advisor to review your financial plans and goals.
Co-authored by Brad McMillan, managing principal, chief investment officer, and Sam Millette, senior investment research analyst, at Commonwealth Financial Network.